The Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, said that the military has uncovered plans by some politicians to commit acts of violence including bombings and assassinations to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the Governorship elections.
Speaking at the opening of a strategic meeting with Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and field commanders at the army headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday’s elections, the army chief, however, noted that the army “must not allow them to succeed.”
He recalled that during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, some level of violence was recorded which led to “disruption of polls, burning of ballot boxes in some areas as well as loss of lives, including the death of an officer and three soldiers.”
Buratai stressed that any form of romancing with politicians during this election period was prohibited and urged commanders to deal decisively with any electoral crime or action such as thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of electoral materials and firearms as well as other crimes that could mar the smooth conduct of the election.
